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Reference.org
Amphitheatre
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<p>An amphitheatre is an open-air venue used for entertainment, performances, and sports. The term derives from the <a href="/facts/Ancient_Greek/LIK7NlUh">ancient Greek</a> ἀμφιθέατρον (<i><i>amphitheatron</i></i>), from ἀμφί (<i><i>amphi</i></i>), meaning "on both sides" or "around" and θέατρον (<i><i>théātron</i></i>), meaning "place for viewing". </p><p>Ancient Greek <a href="/facts/Theater_(structure)/GgCkNKEh">theatres</a> were typically built on hillsides and semi-circular in design. The first amphitheatre may have been built at Pompeii around 70 BC. Ancient <a href="/facts/Roman_amphitheatre/PjYFhG1b">Roman amphitheatres</a> were oval or circular in plan, with seating tiers that surrounded the central performance area, like a modern open-air <a href="/facts/Stadium/AFCDDj1f">stadium</a>. In contrast, both ancient Greek and ancient <a href="/facts/Roman_theatre_(structure)/KPpI1cR8">Roman theatres</a> were built in a <a href="/facts/Semicircle/Im66xpfu">semicircle</a>, with tiered seating rising on one side of the performance area. </p><p>Modern English parlance uses "amphitheatre" for any structure with sloping seating, including <a href="/facts/Theater_(structure)/GgCkNKEh">theatre-style</a> stages with spectator seating on only one side, <a href="/facts/Theatre_in_the_round/ASd9h13c">theatres in the round</a>, and <a href="/facts/Stadium/AFCDDj1f">stadia</a>. They can be indoor or outdoor. </p>